Budget Steps To Take Now

Now that the 2015-16 state budget debacle appears to be over [June 30, Page 1, "Senate Eases Tax Hikes"], our legislators and the Malloy administration should take steps, starting now, to avoid another one next year. Some things to consider are:

1. Eliminate open-ended special commissions. Commissions should have a clearly stated objective and an end date for completing their work.

2. Define the constitutional spending cap to include all state spending as the voters intended.

3. Limit the governor's authority to enter into labor contracts with state employee unions for a term that extends beyond the governor's term in office.

4. Advocacy groups spend a lot of time and money lobbying the governor and legislators. They should set up charitable trusts and spend some of that time and money on fundraising for their particular causes. The funds so raised could be donated to the state to augment the amount budgeted by the state for their causes.

5. Hire an outside management consultant do a top-to-bottom review of the organization and operations of state departments and agencies and report where efficiences and savings can be achieved.

Given the political climate here, however, I don't hold out much hope that any thing will be done.